Arthur prompts Ocean City to shift fireworks to Saturday

Ocean City officials have postponed the town's Fourth of July fireworks show by a day, saying Tropical Storm Arthur could challenge set-up efforts Friday.

The display is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. Saturday, instead of Friday.

"Due to the passing storm and the probable residual effects of the weather, including wind and rain, it would be logistically challenging to hold the fireworks shows on Friday," Mayor Rick Meehan said in a statement. "We are expecting some wet weather on Thursday night and into Friday morning, which makes it nearly impossible to set-up the fireworks show on the beach in enough time for Friday night."

While Arthur is forecast to pass well off the coast of the Delmarva peninsula on Friday, it could bring blustery conditions, storms and showers into Friday afternoon.

The National Weather Service is forecasting likely thunderstorms from Thursday evening through at least midday Friday in Ocean City. Winds of 15-20 mph with gusts as high as 30 mph are expected into Friday evening.

"We know a lot of our guests are traveling a long distance to watch our holiday celebration and we would hate to have had to disappoint them," Meehan said in the statement. "The weather for Saturday, on the other hand, looks beautiful."

Clear, sunny skies, low humidity and highs in the upper 70s are forecast Saturday and Sunday.